Blown Fuse Theatre bring their interactive theatre tour to Chalkwell Hall.

In Her Shoes is an immersive installation experience for one, exploring the concepts of identity, stereotypes, and relationship to home.

Your 20-minute adventure begins as you step inside a shoe shop built for one. With former Bata Shoes employee Joan as your guide, you're transported through time and along the way, you’ll meet real women from Essex, past and present.

As if by magic, the shoeboxes will transport you to the Bata Shoe Factory & Estate, the Marconi Factory, Kynochtown, and the Thames Explosive Works. You’ll visit Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and Southend Seafront in an intimate adventure that asks you: what is an Essex Girl? Will you take a walk In Her Shoes?

Learn even more about women from Essex and add your voice to the conversation at the In Her Shoes ‘Story Station’. Interact with prompts that surround the installation, read about other women from Essex and record your own story for our growing archive.

“Anybody that goes into that space will come out with a totally different experience from the last person”

“It opens up new conversations about what it means to be from Essex”

“The imagination, the care and the detail [...] is quite extraordinary”

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Credits & Partners


Artistic Directors - Eleanore McCann & Michelle Barrington

Producer - Roxanne Carney

Dramaturg - Alison Garner

Build & Set Design - BY Design (Stuart Brindle & Eileen Aldous)

Audio & Sound Design - At Swefn’s Edge (Kate Millner & Michael Parker)

Cast Members:

Joan - Kate Millner Isobel - Florence Jackson

Betty - Eleanore Frances Kudiwa - Anne Odeke

Chloe - Chloe Lee Margaret - Cara Dawson

Marie - Jo Melville Peggy - Michelle Barrington

In Her Shoes has been made possible through Arts Council of England funding, with thanks to the National Lottery players for further funding from National Heritage Fund and support from Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch.

Audience Accessibility

In Her Shoes has been created for one audience member at a time. If there are audience members who want to discuss any access requirements they have that they think may affect or hinder their performance experience, please email Roxanne Carney (Producer) roxannefaithcarney@gmail.com.

Age Guidance

10+

Disclaimers:

In Her Shoes is a solo experience that takes place in an enclosed space that can sometimes be dark. You will be asked to wear headphones for the duration.

The installation works on a rolling basis and restarts every 20 minutes. As such, it is important that you arrive at least 5-10 minutes before your time slot to ensure you start your experience exactly on time. We cannot admit latecomers and it is not a guarantee that we will be able to re-book your slot.

To keep the magic alive and to keep the secrets of the shop safe, photography and video recording once inside the installation is strictly prohibited.

For your safety, CCTV is in operation within the installation at all times.

Latecomer Policy

Due to the nature of the show’s time slots, we have a strict no latecomer policy. If you do not arrive within 5 minutes of your time slot, you will not be admitted into the installation. If there are other slots available throughout the day, you may be able to rebook, but this is not a guarantee and we are not obliged to rebook your ticket.

Strictly No Use of Photos or Videos

To keep the magic of the show alive, photography and video recording is strictly prohibited. We kindly ask that you respect this policy and allow all audiences to enjoy the surprises within the installation.